Chicken Noodle Casserole

This easy chicken noodle casserole is the perfect comfort food dinner for when you want a delicious and quick meal that everyone will love. You can prepare this in under an hour, so gather the family around the table and enjoy!

chicken noodle casserole on a plate and in a baking pan.


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Chicken and Noodle Casserole

This simply baked chicken noodle casserole is the perfect dish for the weeknight or even a potluck dinner. Easy to make, and you can put this dish together ahead of time if you like and reheat it when you are ready to serve.

This is a great way to stretch your cooking budget too. Chicken, noodles, a couple of cans of soup, and some frozen vegetables can go a long way.

What Makes This Recipe So Good 

Casseroles, or hotdishes if you are from the Midwest, are classic comfort food for a very good reason. Not only are they filling and taste great, but they’re inexpensive, easy to make, and can feed a small army.

It is time to bring back these wonderful weekday meals, and one of the best recipes to get you started is this easy chicken noodle casserole.

Why This Is the Best Ever Chicken Noodle Casserole

This recipe is an absolute blast from the past and a genuine part of Americana. It may be a little more complicated than the official Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Casserole that graced millions of dinner tables over the years, but the additional ingredients make all the difference when it comes to taste.

Even if casseroles were never part of your childhood, go ahead and bake this Chicken Noodle Casserole. It is certain to become a new family favorite.

Ingredients For Chicken and Noodle Casserole

To make chicken egg noodle casserole, you’ll need:

  • Chicken breast, skinless
  • White onion, chopped
  • Celery, chopped
  • Unsalted butter
  • Salt
  • Can of condensed cream of chicken soup
  • Can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • Sour cream
  • Mixed frozen vegetables (green beans, carrots, peas, corn)
  • Egg noodles
  • Cracker crumbs
chicken noodle casserole ingredients on a tray.

Ingredient Notes, Additions, and Substitutions

You can use any butter cracker you’d like, such as Ritz crackers, to make the cracker crumbs. Alternatively, go with Panko or unseasoned bread crumbs. 

You can use the store brands of soup. There isn’t a great difference when making casseroles.

You could also use some leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken instead of poaching chicken breasts. Leftover ham and turkey work nicely too.

You can bulk up this casserole with additional frozen vegetables, or you could even add some more celery. You may be able to use any leftover steamed or roasted vegetables.

For a cheesy chicken noodle casserole, add some cheese to this recipe. Monterey Jack or Sharp Cheddar cheese are great options.

How To Make Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole

To poach the chicken breasts:

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a medium pot. The pot needs to be wide enough to prevent the chicken breasts from overlapping and deep enough to allow you to cover the chicken by an inch. Season the chicken with some salt. If you want, you can add a little pepper or fresh herbs. 
  2. Cover the chicken by about an inch with cold water. Optionally, get a little fancy by adding half a cup of white wine. 
  3. Bring the water to a boil, and reduce it to a simmer. Skim off any scum that appears on the surface of the water. 
  4. Cover and cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Timing can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken, but you can start checking after about 10 minutes. 
  5. Remove the chicken from the liquid, reserving the liquid for later, and cool the chicken breasts on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. 
  6. Chop the chicken into medium dice. 
cooked chicken pieces in a pan.

To prepare this easy Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe:

  1. Boil the egg noodles according to the directions on the package. You can use the reserved poaching liquid to enhance the flavor.
  2. While the noodles are cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat and saute the onions and celery in butter until translucent. Season the vegetables with a pinch of salt.
cooked onion and celery in a skillet.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Blend the cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups with the sour cream in a large bowl until smooth. 
cream of chicken and mushroom soups in a bowl.
  1. Add the sauteed and frozen veggies to the sauce.
chicken noodle casserole mixture in a bowl.
  1. Drain the cooked egg noodles and add them to a large casserole or baking dish. Stir in the sauce and the diced cooked chicken. Stir the chicken mixture until it is well blended.
chicken noodle casserole mixture in a baking dish.
  1. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs on top of the casserole and bake uncovered until hot, about 20 minutes. 
chicken noodle casserole serving on a plate.

A Favorite Recipe Variation

In the casserole heyday, Campbell’s chicken noodle casserole may have been king, but chicken broccoli noodle casserole ran a close second. It is a classic family dinner based on the same recipe as above and is a great way to introduce your kids to broccoli.

To make chicken broccoli noodle casserole, replace the frozen mixed vegetables in the recipe with an equal amount of frozen broccoli and keep everything else the same.

What To Serve With It 

Casseroles are so popular because they are a one-dish meal, but you can always add a salad or a bowl of soup to help round out dinner. 

How To Store Leftovers

Allow any extra casserole to cool before putting it in an airtight container or covering it with plastic wrap. The chicken and egg noodle casserole will keep in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for up to three months. 

What Is the Best Way to Reheat Chicken Noodle Casserole

An excellent way to warm up leftover casserole is in the oven:

  1. Thaw leftovers in the fridge overnight. 
  2. Remove the casserole from the fridge and transfer it to a baking dish with a lid. You can use aluminum foil if your baking dish doesn’t have a cover. Leave the casserole on the counter while the oven heats up.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  4. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or chicken stock over the casserole.
  5. Cover the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until it is hot in the middle. 
chicken noodle casserole on a plate and in a baking dish.

Love Chicken Casseroles? Try These Recipes

Favorite Comfort Food Recipes

Check out more of my easy casserole recipes and the best comfort food recipes on CopyKat!

chicken noodle casserole on a plate and in a baking pan.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

The best ever homemade Chicken Noodle Casserole is creamy, easy to make, and perfect for a family dinner.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Casserole Recipes, Chicken Noodle Casserole, Chicken Recipes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 463kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast
  • 6 ounces egg noodles
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium white onion chopped
  • 2 ribs celery chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 ounces mixed frozen vegetables
  • 2 cups cracker crumbs you can use panko crumbs
  • 1/4 cup butter melted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • If the chicken breasts have not been cooked, place the chicken into a large stock pot with enough water to fully cover them. Cook on medium-high heat until it is cooked through. Depending on the thickness of your chicken, this can cake 20 to 30 minutes. When the chicken is done, remove it from the water, and cut it into bite-sized cubes. If desired, you can reserve the water to cook the noodles for additional flavor.
  • Cook the noodles according to the package directions, using the same water you used to cook the chicken, if desired. Drain the noodles after they have cooked.
  • Place the butter in a medium pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the onions, celery, and salt. Sauté until the celery is tender and the onions become translucent.
  • In a mixing bowl, make a creamy sauce by combining the two cans of condensed soup and the sour cream. Blend until you have a uniform mixture. Then add the sauteed onions and celery and the frozen vegetables to the bowl and mix well.
  • Fill a 2-quart casserole dish with the cooked noodles. Add the creamy sauce and stir to coat the noodles with the sauce.
  • In a small dish, combine the cracker crumbs and melted butter and mix until the cracker crumbs are coated with butter. Spoon the cracker crumbs on top of the casserole.
  • Bake the casserole for about 20 minutes before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1033mg | Potassium: 627mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2710IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 2.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole

    5 stars
    I’m not sure if Stephanie will see this, but this is the first recipe that I have ever tried on my own. Ever since I was young, I had a fascination with cooking and at 20 years old I finally made something on my own that was “grown up” besides baking desserts. I looked for something easy that didn’t require much stove top work as I didn’t have a clue about sautéing, how much oil to put, or even how to season anything! I also wanted to learn how make good home cooked, normal people meals. Food network is great but it involves weird creations that only people in the cooking world would actually enjoy. I call it identical to the fashion shows with weird clothes no normal person would wear. I have always wanted to learn how to cook so that one day when I have a family it could be a form of bringing us together and it makes me very prideful (in a good way) when I create dishes others enjoy.

    A few years later, I still enjoy looking at this video! I have gotten so much better and no matter what complicated dish I learned how to make, this is still my go to. It’s so comforting and delicious. This and the pumpkin bread are what first helped me start and learn new concepts. I appreciate all of your videos and recipes and I often share your collection. Please don’t ever stop!

    • Stephanie

      Thank you very much 😉 I do read my comments. It’s my goal to help you cook normal meals with food you can find in a regular grocery store!

  2. Liz

    Um . . . What do I do with the chicken? (Sort of in jest, but really – near as I can tell the casserole is in the oven and the chicken is still on the stove.

  3. Tricia White

    Hi Stephanie,
    After liking the post of “All the comments on a Recipe Blog” I decided I had a few questions about the ingredients in your recipe. (LOL)
    1. Instead of raw chicken can I substitute cooked pork, because that’s all I have in my fridge.
    2. Can I use a white onion instead of a red one? Can you tell me what the difference is between them?
    3. What is a good substitute for celery if you don’t have any? I was thinking maybe some parsley?
    4. My family doesn’t like butter but loves “I can’t believe it’s not butter”. Are they the same thing?
    5. I have high blood pressure so I was thinking of eliminating the salt.
    6. I don’t have any condensed soups but would a chicken noodle soup and an 8 ounce package of mushrooms be OK?
    7. The date on my sour cream container is 7/1/14 – Can I still use it for this recipe?
    8. What kind of vegetables are in a frozen mix? My kids don’t like broccoli.
    9. Can I use orzo instead of egg noodles? They taste the same, right?
    10. I ran out of crackers, can I use salad croutons?
    11. I already know the answer to the last ingredient – “I can’t believe it’s not butter!”
    I’d like to make this for dinner, the family will be home in an hour, I’d like to start in about 5 minutes. I’ll wait for a response. Oh, and my last question? How will this taste with all the changes!
    Love to You, Trish

    • linda

      Wonderful, easy and very yummy option for dinner! Just made it tonight and both me and my hubby are happily full. I had all the fixings on hand and wanted a new way to use some cooked chicken breasts that I had cooked in the crock pot. (That’s my tip: 3-4 skinless boneless chicken breasts covered in chicken stock on slow and low….perfect chicken that shreads with a fork)
      Thank you so much for the recipe!!

    • Brinda

      Hi Stephanie, I need your help, please. I love Stouffer’s Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Bake but don’t have a clue how to duplicate it.
      I would love their recipe, if you happen to have it or if you can point me in the right direction to find it.
      I’m new to your website but I’m loving it thus far. I’m not a great cook but can follow a simple recipe.
      Thanks for reading my reply – and appreciate any help you can give..

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